The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Five
E3 in September (Nintendo Direct, State of Play, Ubisoft Forward, TGS, DMGS)

On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take on the challenge of discussing every big announcement from ALL FIVE of the major gaming events held this past month - Nintendo Direct, Playstation State of Play, Ubisoft Forward, the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase and the Tokyo Game Show. Together, this crazy concurrence of gaming events has been dubbed “E3 in September,” and we have a lot of opinions to share and final grades to award to each event. And as per tradition, we also discuss the latest additions to the Game Pass and PS Plus libraries for September, the newest releases in the world of limited-edition physical media, some of the games we’ve been playing recently and more.  

Run of Show:

00:10 - Introduction

06:06 - Recent Gaming News

• Release Date Roundup
• GTA 6 Leak
• Babylon’s (actual) Fall
• New Witcher Trilogy
• Xbox Exec Wants to Show us Fable (but can’t)
• Halo’s Continued Woes
• Splinter Cell Remake will be “Updated”
• Iron Man Game Announced by EA Motive

0:51:58 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 

1:18:58 - Rich’s Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus)

1:44:48 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Dying Light
• Shovel Knight Dig
• Live A Live
• Nobody Saves the World

2:30:20 “E3 in September” 

• Disney and Marvel Games Showcase (Marvel’s Midnight Sons, Untitled Cap/Black Panther game, etc.)
• Ubisoft Forward (Assassin’s Creed: Infinity, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope DLC, etc.)
• Nintendo Direct (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, etc.)
• Playstation State of Play (God of War: Ragnarok, Tekken 8, etc.)
• Tokyo Game Show (Like a Dragon 8, Suikoden HD, etc.)

4:07:34 Closing Thoughts / What We’re Playing Next…

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Four
Xbox Live Summer of Arcade Retrospective

On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take a journey back to the halcyon days of Xbox Live’s Summer of Arcade, when indie games weren’t as plentiful, but you knew there were at least 4-5 titles you could count on for quality each summer. In a retrospective format, we discuss the numerous masterpiece-level games Summer of Arcade gave us, including Limbo, Braid, Castle Crashers, Shadow Complex, and so many more. We also cover some recent gaming news highlights, run down the latest in Limited Edition Physical Media, Game Pass and PS Plus releases, and share a bit of what we’ve been playing. 

Run of Show:

00:06 - Introduction

08:31 - Recent Gaming News

• Release Date Roundup
• Quantic Dream Acquisition by NetEase
• Wild Arms/Shadow Hearts Dual Kickstarter
• Assassin’s Creed Rumors pre-Ubisoft Livestream
• Konami Teasing a game from “World-Loved” Franchise
• Nintendo Direct Hopes and Predictions 

1:00:39 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 

1:18:20 - Rich’s Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus)

1:33:21 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Deathloop
• Cult of the Lamb

2:01:55 Xbox Live Summer of Arcade Retrospective 

• 2008 - Braid, Castle Crashers, etc.
• 2009 - Shadow Complex, Trials HD, etc.
• 2010 - Limbo, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, etc. 
• 2011 - Bastion, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, etc.
• 2012 - Dust: An Elysian Tale, Deadlight, etc.
• 2013 - Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Charlie Murder, etc.

3:15:40 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Three
The Top 10 2D Platformers of All-Time

On this mega-sized episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we celebrate one of the most classic and enjoyable video game genres - 2D Platformers - by constructing our definitive “The Joy of Gaming Top 10” list. We also discuss the recent Embracer Group acquisitions and Gamescom 2022 announcements in our gaming news segment, cover the latest releases in the worlds of Physical Media, Game Pass and PS Plus, and talk about the games we’ve been playing recently - including Cult of the Lamb, Live A Live and more. 

Run of Show:

00:06 - Introduction

05:13 - Recent Gaming News

• Release Date Roundup
• PlayStation 5 Price Increase
• Sega Genesis Mini 2 Games List Revealed
• Alone in the Dark Reboot Announced
• First Gameplay Look at XIII Re-Remaster Revealed
• Crash Bandicoot Developer Seemingly Teases New Game
• Resident Evil 7 Was Almost a Live Service Game
• Embracer Group Buys Up Everything, including LOTR IP
• Troubled Star Wars Video Game Remake Shifts to New Studio
• Gamescom 2022 Announcements

1:30:36 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 

1:45:05 - Rich’s Digital Picks

2:00:08 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Deathloop (Revisited)
• Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Replay)
• Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
• As Dusk Falls
• Call of Cthulhu
• Cult of the Lamb
• Live A Live

2:51:10 Top 10 2D Platformers of All-Time (we create the definitive TJOG Top Ten List)

4:04:56 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Two

Narrative Adventure Games: A Brief History (from Point-and-Click to As Dusk Falls)

On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss two recently-released Narrative Adventure Games - As Dusk Falls and The Quarry - and attempt to trace the origins of this relatively new genre, from its point-and-click adventure roots through to the modern day. We also discuss some recent gaming news, offer our thoughts on the best new physical media, Game Pass and PS Plus releases, and talk about the games we’ve been playing recently. 

Run of Show:

00:06 - Introduction

01:26 - Recent Gaming News

• Marvel’s Midnight Suns delayed
• Square Enix may want to sell off some of its studios
• Eidos Montreal wants to make Deus Ex again
• Beyond Good and Evil 2 gets a lead writer (no, for real)

38:12 - #ForeverPhysical Segment w/Brandon

1:08:15 - Rich’s Digital Picks

1:29:57 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Return to Arkham edition)
• Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate
• Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Replay)
• Stray

2:03:40 A Brief History of Narrative Adventure Games (including The Quarry, As Dusk Falls early impressions)

3:01:12 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode One

The Top 5 Gaming Franchises of All-Time

On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take on the formidable task of choosing our Top 5 Favorite Gaming Franchises - past and present. We also discuss recent gaming news, discuss some notable new releases in our #ForeverPhysical and Rich’s Digital Picks segments, and talk about some of the games we’ve been playing recently. 

Run of Show:

00:06 - Introduction

04:03 - Recent Gaming News

• Forspoken delayed
• God of War: Ragnarok release date
• Skull & Bones gameplay & release date
• Bayonetta 3 release date
• Inscryption coming to Playstation
• Cuphead DLC
• Mass Effect 5 gets awesome Senior Narrative Director
• Bruce Straley opens new studio
• Bad news for Star Wars: KOTOR Remake
• Assassin’s Creed Liberation delisted
• Former EA CEO John Riccitiello shows his hand

48:15 - Brandon’s #ForeverPhysical Segment

1:15:43 - Rich’s Digital Picks

1:25:47 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Revisited)
• Olli Olli World
• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
• Titanfall 2
• The Quarry
• Stray
• Fist: Forged in Shadow Torch

2:09:14 Top 5 Favorite Gaming Franchises 

3:16:38 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Zero

A New Start, Summer Game Fest and a Primer on Limited Physical Gaming Media 

On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we introduce the new show, welcome a new co-host, discuss the recent announcements and gameplay we saw at Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest 2022, and celebrate the resurgence of physical gaming media with an in-depth primer on Limited Run Games, Special Reserve Games, Iam8Bit and some of the other biggest players. 

Run of Show:

00:06 - Intro and Origin Story 

19:41 - Recent Gaming News and Summer Game Fest  

• E3 vs. Keigh-3
• Final Fantasy VII Everything
• Resident Evil 4 Remake
• The Callisto Protocol
• Gotham Knights
• Starfield
• EA makes fun of single player games
• Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase
• Bonus: Players on Paramount+

1:45:02 - Limited Run and the Resurgence of Physical Media (A Primer)

2:21:00 - This Week in Physical Gaming Media

2:40:21 - What We’ve Been Playing

• Guardians of the Galaxy
• Horizon: Forbidden West
• Deathloop
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land

3:31:51 Closing Thoughts

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 78:
Next-Gen Console Chat and The Game Awards 2020

On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) emerge once more from the COVID void with a brand new episode and A LOT of great stuff to talk about. That's because 2020 has gifted us with brand new gaming consoles - Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S - and nothing will ever be the same again...or will it? Either way, we have played each of the new consoles, and have lots of opinions about their super fast load times, the veritable trickle of high-quality new games, and our hopes for the very near gaming future. 

But new consoles aren't the only thing the end of 2020 has gifted us with. That's because Geoff Keighley's annual celebration of all things gaming - The Game Awards 2020 - has aired, and with it, we got a number of new game announcements, glossy trailers, and hit-or-miss awards in various categories to discuss. From the sweeping (though controversial) award dominance of The Last of Us: Part 2, to the unending clamor for this year's massive hit Hades to get even more praise, and the many games that found themselves somewhere in the middle, there is a lot to discuss here, and we're happy to be the ones to do it. 

So join us, as we rejoin forces to celebrate a medium that has only become more important this past year of quarantine, and continues to evolve in exciting and surprising ways. This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 79:
The Best Indie Comic Adaptations, DC Fandome, Celebrating C.B.’s Life

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On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Jordan and Kevin) regroup in the midst of this crazy pandemic to discuss our favorite indie comic book adaptations. To qualify, the adaptation could NOT be based on a mainline Marvel/DC Superhero property (though sub-imprints like Vertigo and Icon were fair game), and the adaptations could be to any form of media, including film, television, video games, etc. With those parameters in mind, we came out with some pretty interesting “best of” lists, including quite a few surprise picks.

But before turning our attention to Image, Dark Horse, Vertigo and the like, we discuss some of the biggest mainstream geek culture news of recent weeks, including a look at all the biggest trailers and announcements coming out of DC Fandome - The Batman, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Justice League: The Snyder Cut to name a few. We also take some time to celebrate the life of Chadwick Boseman, and the amazing impact he has had on both the world of media, and more importantly, the world at large.

So join us, as we take a journey limited only by the imaginations of independent comics creators everywhere, delve into a discussion of Todd Snyder and contemplate the unlikely possibility that he’s secretly a genius, and celebrate a man who seemed to really understand the meaning of life. This…is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 77:
GOTY: The Best Video Games of 2019

On this episode of the Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan), return after a year-long hiatus to celebrate the best video games of 2019. It was a year that gave us so much to love - including Resident Evil 2, Untitled Goose Game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Control - as well as some mediocre titles like Crackdown 3, and some pretty astounding disappointments as well (of which Anthem and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order spring quickly to mind). But when it’s time for our annual GOTY conversations, a wide range of quality leads to a nice colorful array of categories, where the best and worst of the year are discussed, celebrated, and lambasted in appropriate measure. 

Keeping with TJOG tradition, the categories include:

-Top 3 Best Games (and HMs)-
-Best Character-
-Best Story-
-Worst Game-
-Most Disappointing Game-
-Most Surprising Game-
-Best “New to Me” Game-
…and some surprises along the way!

So join us, as we turn back the clock a few months, and celebrate the art of immersion, fantasy, escape, realism and so much more. This…is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 78:
<Quarantine Edition, Part 2> The Best in Film 2019

On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Kevin and Jordan) return with our second episode recorded during the Covid-19 quarantine, and we’re making up for lost time and bringing you our “Best in Film 2019” episode. And although these “year in review” episodes are generally recorded in the December/January timeframe, the extra few months have given us all time to catch up on many of last year’s best movies. In other words, we’re ready to GO.

And what a year 2019 was for film, right? From highly-lauded masterpieces like Parasite and 1917, to blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, to artistic experiments like The Lighthouse, and far, far beyond, there were a lot of notable movies released last year – some very good and some very, very disappointing. We’ll run through our regular categories to discuss the best and worst that 2019 had to offer, and hopefully run into some cool surprises along the way.

So join us, as we celebrate the joy of cinema, and pine for the good old days when we could sit in an actual movie theater and be taken on an amazing journey. And hopefully (with a little luck) we’ll all be back to the movies soon. This…is the Joy of Geek!